Smith sage advice lifts Mini-Maroons

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Queensland skipper Cameron Smith took a brief leave pass from camp to give the Under 10s team from his junior club, Logan Brothers, some game advice and present them with official jerseys ahead of their halftime debut at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Origin legend on Tuesday passed on his words of encouragement for their 2017 Holden Junior State of Origin match against an Under 10s team from the Toongabbie Tigers – the junior club of Blues rival David Klemmer.

Smith said he was excited to assist in mentally prepping the team ahead of their Origin debut.

“I know what it feels like to go from playing local footy at Logan Brothers to walking out on the field at Suncorp Stadium,” he said.

“It’s going to be an experience these kids will remember forever."

The young hopefuls had an early start on Tuesday morning participating in a training session with former Maroons player David Shillington before meeting their hero, Smith.

For co-captain Lilianah Lewis, 8, the training session and advice from Smith was very welcomed.

“I want to play the best I can tomorrow and make Queensland proud,” she said.

The Logan Brothers Under 10s are fired up for their halftime Origin battle.

As well as playing at halftime of Game I, the junior Queensland co-captains Lilianah and Bailey Vang, 9, will toss the coin and deliver the match balls alongside NSW co-captains Makayla Ellis, 9, and Izaak Moggridge, 10.

Their team-mates will also form a guard of honour for the State of Origin players.

It’s the icing on the cake for the youngsters who also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Maroons team in action at their training session last Tuesday at Suncorp Stadium.

Holden’s General Manager – Brand, Media and Sponsorships, Emma Pinwill, said: “This really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we can’t wait to see the excitement on the kids’ faces when they step out on the field tomorrow."